KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - The morning fog is just beginning to settle over the parade field at Daenner Kaserne, and U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers with the 361st Civil Affairs Brigade are already working quickly to set up communications for a Civil-Military Operations Center as part of an expeditionary deployment operations exercise Nov. 18 here.

The focus of the exercise, led by Headquarters and Headquarters Company, is to set up and validate a communications center for a CMOC, allowing civil affairs operations to continue seamlessly despite austere environments far from civilization and resources.

Tasks to be completed for the exercise include erecting and securing the portable stand-alone tent, supplying power and heat, establishing radio and internet communications and providing physical security.

"This type of [communications exercise] is a crucial piece of a CMOC," said Capt. Anthony Smith, operations officer, HHC, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade. "It's tactical, it's expeditionary, and it's the best way to validate a communications center."

"Hard buildings and resources won't always be available," Smith added, "We must be able to set up mission command in every type of environment."